There is a long tradition of Buddhist descriptions of hell; from the second century BCE until the twentieth century; stretching from Iran and India to China and Japan. These descriptions initially relied heavily on Hindu texts but developed their own distinctive features as elements from various cultural traditions were incorporated and as individuals sought to avoid hell by making additions to the text and then distributing copies freely as pious acts. This anthology includes twenty-two texts that range from “The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha†and “The Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on the Retribution of Sinful Karma;†to Chinese tales like “Governor Kwoh Visits Hell†and “The Voyage to the Western Sea of the Chief Eunuch San-Pao;†to the “Tibetan Book of the Dead†and a twentieth-century “Thai Near-Death Experience.†This anthology also includes a preface; introduction; glossary; notes and bibliography to provide a comprehensive overview of the nature of Buddhist hell. Buddhist Hell is published in conjunction with www.Hell-on-Line.org; a website that presents a comprehensive collection of materials on the more than 100 visions; tours and descriptions of the infernal otherworld from the cultures around the world dating from 2000 BCE to the present. Twenty-two texts; 216 pages. Web resources. Illustrated.
#1791361 in Books Regnery History 2010-10-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.84 x 1.23 x 6.06l; 1.31 #File Name: 1596986417464 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Always buy BonekemperBy CustomerBonekemper is a real find for civil war readers. An amature historian much respected;by other historians and readers. This book is a refutation of the common; post war criticism; that Grant won by killing large numbers of the enemy. Bonekemper documents the fact that Grant actually inflicted a lower casualty rate than Lee.24 of 30 people found the following review helpful. Surprisingly well-done!By Candace ScottBonekemper follows in the shoes of JFC Fuller and T. Harry Williams who long ago argued that Ulysses Grant was the preeminent soldier of the Civil War. For nearly 100 years; the rise of the Lost Cause mentality has obscured Grant's true brilliance as a general and his great rival; Lee; has been elevated to near demi-God status. Bonekemper dispenses with such nonsense and shows; point by point; how Grant won the Civil War. He did so because he was a military genius and possessed rare gifts of stubbornness; intelligence; daring; patience and sheer nerve. The fans of Robert E. Lee will be reaching for their smelling salts when they pick up this tome!The book is not heavy on statistics or details and those who dislike plodding military narratives will still find something to like here. Bonekemper's "Appendix I" is especially interesting; particularly for those who are familiar with Grant literature from the past. It's interesting to read his opinions on some of the recent spate of Grant biographers. Equally impressive is Bonekemper's list of Grant's "Attributes" which he lists in descending order. Among these are modesty; the dis-inclination to constantly demand reinforcements (which is what contributed to McClellan's downfall); and a stubborn tenacity. Bonekemper brilliantly refutes the tired old adage that Grant was a butcher who was injudicious with the lives of his men. Borrowing stats from McWhiney and Fuller; he clearly demonstrates that General Lee lost far more men in proportion than did Grant.My only criticism is that Bonekemper inexplicably describes Grant as "an alcoholic." He should have known better; because it's simply untrue. Grant drank and imbibed too much early in his army career; almost always when separated from his much-adored wife. He also got drunk on occasion in the ACW; but it didn't interfere with his service career and was borne out of a need to be with Julia. No serious historian of the past 50 years has described Grant as an alcoholic and it's disappointing that Bonekemper follows suit. This is an odd inclusion; particularly when he states that "alcoholism made him a better general." This is a theory borrowed from McPherson and should have been omitted.Aside from this small lapse; the remainder of the book is a grand exercise in proving what Grant students have long known: this man was one awesome soldier! Kudos to Bonekemper from proving this point so thoroughly.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very readable; fact-filled.By Robert SparksI really enjoyed it. I had been reaching the same conclusions about Grant In my continued study this consolidated the facts for me.
